BMW 320i Review: A Pure Driver's Car

The BMW 3-Series has been there for over 40-years with us and has never disappointed when it comes to dynamic sporty driving experience. We at News18 Auto check out the BMW 320i and find out whether it still retains its flair?

The new 3-series by BMW looks smart, bold and sporty. Buy it in any colour and you’ll not regret it at all. Since 1975 the 3 series has furnished regular evidence of its dynamic abilities and in its new avatar it has been enhanced. The one that we drove had a four cylinder 1998cc petrol motor that has an output of 184 hp and 270 nm of torque which is dished out at as low as 1350 rpm. This basically means that it’s dynamic and quick with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 7.3 seconds.

BMW’s twin power turbo 4 cylinder engine delivers more than enough power for any kind of Indian driving scenario. But don’t be a sceptic, the claimed fuel efficiency on this one is 17.61 km/l and with us, it easily gave us an average of 14km/l which is good enough for a luxury sedan in Indian conditions.

This rear wheel beauty comes with an 8-speed steptronic sports automatic transmission and there are four drive modes to choose from. It’s best enjoyed in the Sports+ mode but then you basically have to forget about the fuel efficiency. For safety, you get several airbags, ABS and even cornering brake control.

This is a driver’s car by all means and if you love driving in style there is no looking beyond this one. It has the power to please you and also an unparalleled handling ability as compared to any of its rivals in the segment.

On the inside, you get a luxurious cabin with everything in place and a sense of roominess. There’s also plenty of equipment inside for you to fiddle around with when stuck in traffic.

But where this car lacks is in modern essentials that have become a necessity for many in India, like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and a reverse parking camera that should have been offered as a standard and not as an optional add-on.

Despite the lack of new tech inside the cabin, this is a car made to be driven passionately, and once you get your hand on one, you won’t even notice those tiny little things that you thought were missing in the first place.

Overall if you are looking for a luxury sedan to be driven around in, this is not the car for you. But if you like to drive around and feel in control all the time then there is no looking beyond the BMW 320i.